Grasses
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Autumn Moor Grass
Autumn Moor grass forms a 1' tall clump of stiff narrow blades that are bright green with a cast of yellow. Produces narrow, 2.5", silvery white flowerheads in fall that contrasts nicely with the foliage. Considered hardy in Zone 5, it has done well at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and is worthy of using with caution in Zone 4. Clump forming.
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Avalanche Feather Reed Grass
A variegated feather reed grass discovered as a sport of C. 'Karl Foerster'. It has that classic upright growth habit of Calamagrostis, with beautiful variegated foliage, a wide white center to the leaf. It holds its variegation well through the heat of the summer. The inflorescence is similar to 'Karl Foerster'. Reaches a mature height of 3-4', inflorescence to 5'. Once roots are established, it is quite drought tolerant. Clump forming.
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Blue Eyed Grass
If your soils are too wet to grow Festuca varieties, try using Blue Eyed Grass instead. This little grass-like plant has a dark green foliage that grows to about 10" in height. Rising just above the foliage, flowering stems sporting small, blue, star-like flowers appear starting in late spring and contine well into summer.
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Eldorado Feather Reed Grass
A rare gold variegated form of the very popular Calamagrostis a. 'Karl Foerster'. The narrow, green leaves have a bright gold center which radiates out in the sunlight. Attractive tan wheat-like seed heads appear in early summer and last all season long. 'Eldorado' prefers to be grown in full sun and well-drained soil. Be sure to provide plenty of moisture in extremely hot weather.
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Evergold Japanese Sedge Grass
Grown for its beautiful variegated yellow and green foliage, this sedge forms an arching clump that is perfect for the front of the shade border or lining a pathway. Easy to grow, it is resistant to deer and disease, and tolerates moist soils.
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Fall Blooming Feather Reed Grass
A clump-forming, warm season grass that adds interest to the autumn landscape. In September elegant flowers appear with a touch of pink, later turning bronze. Appreciates evenly moist soil. Clump forming. 2007 GreatPlants® for the Great Plains winner.
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Feather Reed Grass
An upright grass up to 5' tall with showy, feathery plumes of flowers followed by wheat colored seed heads. 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year. Clump forming.
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Flame Grass
A warm season grass hardy into Zone 4. Grows about 4' with satiny, magenta colored foliage in late summer. Upright grower. In fall the 3/4" wide leaves color to a bright red-orange before fading to a silken white in winter. Forms a large clump in time. A ten year old specimen can be 30" or more across. Clump forming.
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Frost Grass
An attractive ornamental grass valued for its interesting form, with bold bamboo-like horizontal leaf blades, nice clumping habit 2-3' tall, and purplish fall color. It is a warm season grass, growing best in moist, well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. It resents hot, dry sites. Purplish flower panicles bloom in mid to late summer, rising 14-18" above the foliage. Clump forming.
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Fubuki™ Japanese Forest Grass
An exciting Japanese forest grass that will light up the shade with contrasting tones of white and green foliage. Its compact, mounding habit makes it ideal for the front of shade to partial shade borders. Cool autumn weather reveals striking pink hues among the variegated foliage.
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Gold Variegated Hakone Grass
This long-season ornamental grass, with brilliant yellow variegated foliage, may be used as a ground cover, a border-front specimen, a mass planting, or in a patio container. The plant offers vivid highlights in shaded areas or in evening gardens. This grass is also noted for its movement in breezes, offering a cascading effect. Partial shade is the optimum location in hot climates while more sun is suitable in cooler areas. 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year.
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Gracillimus Maiden Grass
One of the oldest and best known cultivars of Miscanthus, 'Gracillimus' has delicate narrow leaves that grow in a wide, arching clump. Blooms late in the season with silken tassles that begin a rich, coppery red then mature to silvery white. Winter foliage is an attractive warm tan that adds wonderful color and texture to the landscape.
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Graziella Japanese Silver Grass
'Graziella' has narrow green leaves, and forms a large, arching mound of foliage which ultimately turns an orangey-red in autumn. The tiny white flowers appear in late summer and gradually turn into silvery white plumes as the seed matures. The plumes persist throughout the winter, adding another season of interest. Although generally thought of as zone 5, we are recommending this Miscanthus cultivar for zone 4 use based on research done by Dr. Mary Meyer from the University of Minnesota. Clump forming.
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Haense Herms Switch Grass
Shorter and more upright form of the native species. Will reach up to 5' when in bloom. Slight blue cast to foliage. The fine textured, airy flower heads are produced in late summer and turn a warm, glowing wheat color in winter. Foliage turns red in late summer changing to burgundy by autumn. Should be cut back in early spring. Clump forming.
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Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass
'Hameln' is a truly dwarf, clump-forming grass. In late summer, buff-colored flower heads bloom in profusion. Graceful, fountain-like plumes slowly change color from buff to soft pinks and light maroons. One to three plants are effective in small gardens as an accent, and in larger areas, mass plantings are stunning. Provides structure to the winter garden as well as seed for birds. Not fussy about soil requirements, drought tolerant as well as insect and disease resistant.
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Heavy Metal Switch Grass
An introduction from Kurt Bluemel with stiff, upright, metallic blue leaves that form a tight clump up to 3-3.5' tall with flowers 12-16" above the foliage. Bright yellow fall color. Clump forming.
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Little Bluestem Grass
A native American prairie grass hardy to zone 4. Its name is derived from the blue color present at the base of the clump. Upright foliage reaches a height of 30". After frost, leaves turn a rich orange-wheat color. Clump forming.
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Little Fountain Japanese Silver Grass
A nice, shorter cultivar for smaller gardens. 'Kleine Fontaine' reaches a height of only 3-4', forming a tidy, arching mound of foliage. The pink tinged flowers emerge in mid-summer becoming whitish plumes lasting into autumn. Although generally thought of as zone 5, we are recommending this Miscanthus cultivar for zone 4 use based on research done by Dr. Mary Meyer from the University of Minnesota. Clump forming.
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Little Zebra Grass
A new, more compact cultivar with foliage quite similar to 'Zebrinus', with distinctive gold banding on green leaves. Flowers in late summer with reddish purple plumes that rise above the foliage, eventually changing to creamy tan in autumn.
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Moor Grass
Large plant that forms green clumps of 4-5'in width and 2-4'in height. Delicate wire-fine yellow seed heads are borne on stems of up to 7'in July and August. Best planted where it will have space to develop, and against a plain background so the fine seed heads can be appreciated. Will tolerate light shade, but prefers full sun. Clump forming.
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Northwind Switch Grass
A newer panicum with very sturdy, upright, steel blue stems. Reaches a mature height of 6'. Great in mass plantings or as a single specimen. Discovered by Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm, in WI. Clump forming.
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Overdam Feather Reed Grass
A beautiful, variegated form of feather reed grass with creamy white stripes through the leaves. Slightly smaller in stature than the species, reaching a mature height of 4-6'. The variegation is most pronounced in climates with low humidity and cool summer nights. Clump forming.
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Prairie Sky Switch Grass
A switch grass selected primarily for the incredible blue tones to the foliage, reaching 4-5' tall. Performs best in climates with low humidity and cool nights. Clump forming.
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Red Fountain Grass
Upright arching foliage has a purplish red color all season long becoming more intense in autumn. In midsummer, purplish pink flowers appear on long arching stems, adding an element of feathery texture. Perennial in very southern climates, red fountain grass is grown as an annual in northern climates, and can be used in garden beds and decorative container plantings.
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Red-Silver Japanese Silver Grass
Outstanding red tones in both the foliage and the flowers are the highlight of this Miscanthus cultivar. Forms a tall, arching mound of green foliage, with red tints. The flowers are large and have beautiful tones of pinkish-red in mid to late summer. Fall color on this plant is gorgeous, with the foliage turning a beautiful red. Although generally thought of as zone 5, we are recommending this Miscanthus cultivar for zone 4 use based on research done by Dr. Mary Meyer from the University of Minnesota. Clump forming.
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Ribbon Grass
A vigorous,rhizomatous grass that forms a spreading clump of 18-24" in height. Very attractive, highly variegated green and white leaves. Will do well in most any soil and withstands drought particularly well. Xeriscape plant.
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Sapphire Blue Oat Grass
This German cultivar has bright, steel blue foliage and much improved resistance to rust. A clump forming grass, producing a tuft of blue foliage to about 2.5' in height. Delicate flowers rise above the clump in early summer on long arching stems. Sapphire Blue Oat Grass prefers cooler weather and adequate moisture for the root system. Clump forming.
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Shenandoah Switch Grass
A nice short variety for a panicum, only reaching a mature height of 3-4'. What really sets it apart from other cultivars is the incredible red hues to the leaves, making it a stand out in the garden. Full sun, well-drained soils. Clump forming.
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Skyracer Moor Grass
Delicate, wire-fine, yellow seed heads are borne on stems of up to 7' in July and August. Best planted where it will have space to develop, and against a plain background so the fine seed heads can be appreciated. Will tolerate light shade, but prefers full sun. Clump forming.
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Strawberries & Cream Ribbon Grass
A beautiful improvement over straight ribbon grass, with its white striped foliage blushed with pink, even the flower spikes take on a pink blush. The pink color is strongest in spring and early summer, before bleaching out with the heat of summer. The flowers bloom in June with soft white panicles that grow 12-18" above the foliage, mature to a pale brown, and are showy into the winter. Plant in full sun to light shade, tolerates moist soils. Rhizomatous.
